With this late signing, Daniel Farke might push Sam Byram lower down the Leeds United pecking order.
Leeds United will be dissatisfied with their FA Cup performance on Saturday, as they only managed a 1-1 draw at home against Plymouth Argyle, resulting in an unnecessary trip to Devon for a rematch.
It’s not like Daniel Farke used a lot of reserves against the Pilgrims at Elland Road, naming a lineup that included Joe Rodon, Sam Byram, and Jaidon Anthony, among many other first-teamers, with Anthony scoring Leeds’ sole goal of the game.
Byram may slide down the Leeds pecking order despite an admirable shift in the starting XI in this match, with a transfer development surfacing from West Yorkshire hinting that reinforcements are on the way in the back four.
Leeds seeks Japanese talent.
According to Belgian football outlet HBVL, Leeds are aggressively attempting to sign Sint-Truiden defender Daiki Hashioka with deadline day approaching. HBVL adds that the Whites are ‘in advanced talks’ to sign the Japanese right-back and are now close to a deal.
Only 24 years old, with Byram approaching the twilight of his career at 30, Hashioka is also attracting interest from Premier League overachievers Luton Town this transfer window, according to SportWitness via a print version of HBVL.
Despite an assist in the Cup last time out, Byram’s days at Leeds could be limited if the 49ers can sign Haskioka in January, with a dynamic right-back finally coming through the door after Luke Ayling and Djed Spence’s departures destroyed that position.
How does Haskioka fit into the Leeds team?
Farke may finally have a right-back he can rely on if the Japanese gem signs on the dotted line, with Jamie Shackleton the only other recognised player in that position other from Byram.
This season playing out in Belgium, the 6-foot Leeds target has four goal contributions playing more as a right midfielder than a defensive-focused right-back.
In contrast, Byram – when called into action by Farke this season unconventionally at left-back – only has three goal contributions next to his name with his future playing in a more comfortable slot down the right channel under scrutiny if Haskioka relocates to West Yorkshire.
With Junior Firpo loving life at Leeds again with four assists this year to date at left-back, and Archie Gray often utilised here away from Firpo’s recent re-emergence back into the first-team fold, Byram really would have no future down either flank if the Whites decide to finally strengthen this window.
Hashioka would suit the style Leeds like to play to a tee also, the Japanese defender more than adept at venturing forward in similar fashion to Firpo marauding down the channels to set up the likes of Patrick Bamford recently.
Over the last year, according to FBRef, the in-demand Sint-Truiden man betters Byram in terms of progressive carries and shots on goal on average per 90 minutes – the 24-year-old averaging 2.67 carries to Byram’s 1.94, with Hashioka also winning in terms of shots with 1.25 to Byram’s 1.03.
If Leeds want to take the division by storm and bulldoze more teams on their way to a convincing promotion, landing an expansive right-back in Japan international Hashioka could be the way forward with the old guard of Byram put to one side consequently.
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